Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's left arm was heavily wrapped before he re-injured it Sunday. / Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski re-injured his left forearm in Sunday's playoff game against the Houston Texans and will miss the remainder of the postseason, according to a person informed of the diagnosis doctors made on Sunday.

The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the Patriots haven't yet announced the extent of the injury, said Gronkowski will require another surgery to repair the bone.

"That's always a tough break. Everyone on the team loves Rob, as a person, as a player," said left guard Logan Mankins. "It's a tough break for him, a tough break for our team. But whoever gets put in the spot has to do the job. We're all counting on them."

Belichick did offer that Gronkowski wouldn't have been active if he wasn't fit for duty.

"He wouldn't have played if he wasn't," Belichick said, adding medical decisions are left to team physicians.

Gronkowski was injured when he leaped to catch a pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter of Sunday's game. He landed on his left forearm, which was heavily bandaged and padded. Gronkowski was flexing his hand on the sideline and soon was taken to the locker room for further evaluation. X-rays revealed the new damage.

Gronkowski was originally injured on Nov. 18 against the Indianapolis Colts while blocking on an extra point late in a blowout victory. He missed the next five games before returning for the regular-season finale. He appeared limited in that game and again on Sunday even before he reinjured the arm.

This comes a year after Gronkowski was limited in the Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants with a high-ankle sprain. If he was healthy that day, perhaps the Patriots win that game. This latest injury certainly affects their outlook this season as well.